Shire experiences sales growth thanks to ADHD drug

Shire reported a rise in sales and revenues on the back of the success of new drugs such as the much-criticised medicine, Vyvanse, on February 21.

Shire reported a rise in sales and revenues on the back of the success of new drugs such as the much-criticised medicine, Vyvanse, on February 21.

Investors' concerns over the attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment were alleviated as Shire reported a 41 per cent increase in sales at the end of 2007.

Total company revenues were up by 36 per cent of which 23 per cent was thanks to the sale of new medications.

Matthew Emmens, chief executive officer of Shire, said: "The launch of Vyvanse continues to progress well and we are confident about the medication's future growth supported by new clinical studies."

US-based researchers reported last year that ADHD drugs could stunt growth and did not improve behaviour over a sustained period of time [PMLive November 2007].

Emmens said: ëThe acquisition of New River Pharmaceuticals (April 2007) gave us full ownership and control of Vyvanse and this new generation ADHD treatment is establishing itself in the US, where it has already gained a market share of 6 per cent.î